Hi Sam,
There are two things about me I’d like to share with you:
First, I am a recovering drug addict:
Abby saved my life. I was being swallowed up by Methamphetamine.
She’s the oldest child I ever met. She’s who I want to be when I’m 70.
I’ve never met her friend Angie. They talk often and always spend the
holidays together. There is more to them then they reveal. As Abby says:
“We all have stories, some want to tell them – some don’t”.
Here’s my story and my second share:
I have a skin condition known as Rhinophyma – extremely rare in woman
usually hits older men. Symptoms are fat deposits on the nose (bulbous nose)
and in my case lips and eyes. On a good day my face can be “off putting”
on a bad day I am what’s called a “Double Bagger”.
To complete the cosmic joke that is my life, I have a body that is a black & white
photographer’s wetdream. Zak Ato has been photographing me for several years.
If you google “Zak Ato Jessica Flickr”, you’ll find hundreds of me. Most will show
little to none of my face. Strangly enough the comments always call me
Beautiful – if they only knew.
I’ve met with doctors and with Abby’s help I’ve found 2 that can help me.
One is in Arizona and one in Beverly Hills (of course!) one just does noses and the
BH guy the rest. I’m in Europe to make a lot of money quickly so I can take a year
off and have the work done. The Covid 19 virus is delaying my working and
is very frustrating. But – it is what it is.
This is the real me. Thanks for listening, sweety
Jessy
My Trip to Dorset, England
My Sweet Girlfriends Abby, Barb and Sam
You were SO right Sam, the English countryside and people are wonderful.
I’m glad Abby got in touch with you. Nico, my boss, strongly recommended
I leave my laptop behind. He kinda implied the reception sucked
but HE had several computers and looked to be on the internet several times.
Anyway, I did leave it and except for the first night did not miss it at all.
Nico was a French trained chef before he became a photographer. He and
his wife Chrystall cooked every meal from scratch. I got dirty playing in their
garden – I hate dirt! I actually made Bread. Even their dog Indie barks with an
accent. But it was the sky that I fell in love with. You must Google “Milky Way
over Durdle Door”. I’ve never seen a night sky without the lights of 8 million
people shining. It was un-fucking-believable.
The night of the full moon was partly cloudy – that wasn’t the main problem – the Beach
was closed. Not a problem for my boss. The three of us took a basket with food & wine and drove
to the cottage of the two old caretakers of the Man of War Bay Park. We had dinner, they told
stories until sundown, then opened the locked gate for us to descend a path to the beach.
Nico, Chrystall and I stayed down there until sunrise and did eventually get some shots of the
moon – not through the Durdle Door which I think would have been awesome -but Nico was
happy so I was happy.
We slept most of Saturday. I helped chop and saute veggies for dinner and we ate outside.
It was quiet. I was quiet. For awhile, I think the world stopped turning. For the first time in my
life I didn’t feel that some part of me was shaking. I started to cry for no reason what so ever.
Then Chrystall started to cry and then Nico started to cry and where’s a box of tissues when you
need one? We spent that night exchanging secrets. After only 5 days, I feel I have two good friends
in England and will never forget their welcoming embrace and acceptance. They are special people.
Thank you, Barb, for finding them.
Anyway, yesterday they drove me back to my “flat” and we stopped at a farmer’s market along the
way and bought veggies. I made dinner. I made a real actually beautiful dinner. Who’a thunk!
They stayed the night and are still sleeping. I’ve got Brussels on my mind. My Brussels boss is looking
for me so I’ve got to turn my attention to my next assignment. But I wanted to get this off to you three.
I missed talking to each of you. I’d really like to go back to Dorset someday and get lost there.
Love yous
Jessy
Sam Sweety,
Thanks for the note. You are in my thoughts too. I hope everything is good and look forward to
hearing from you. J
To My Sweet Girlfriends Abby, Barb and Sam
Want you all to know my schedule for next week as it is crazy and exciting:
Tuesday I take a train to Brussels and get met at the station by Teddy and his sister Galena. I guess
Galena is the schlepper. Teddy is another bearded hippy type guy who looks younger than Nico.
We are staying at the Louise 345. We shoot for two days around town and then train to Venice, Italy.
I’ll get to see the OTHER Venice. I am told that if Italian Venice has big waves there is BIG trouble. If
California Venice has big waves there are surfers out. Big difference.
Anyway, We are staying at the Hotel Monaco and shooting for two days leaving Sunday by ferry
to Corfu, Greece where we will be picked up by a private plane and flown to the island of Skiathos.
There we get on a boat for 4 days of shooting. I’m out of breath just writing this. Finally, I’m flown back
to Athens and a flight – probably 2 or 3 stops home to LAX. Will know more specifics on return flights as
time goes by.
Here’s the strangest thing of all: normally, I’d be anxious as shit just thinking about all this stuff – but
I’m NOT. It’s just as you said when I left Abby: It’s the adventure of a lifetime and I’m not going to let
a moment go by that I am not fully participating in. At worst – I’ll get some funny stories. At best – I’ll
get some wonderful stories. What do I have to lose?
It looks like there is WiFi available in Brussels and Venice – don’t know about the boat. I should be able
to at least dash off a update note in each place.
Love to my Special Girlfriends
Jessy
PS I am feeling better than I have ever felt before
PPS Save me a seat at your Thursday night poker game, Abby
send Tuesday June 16 after midnight
Day 1 in Brussels Tuesday
To My Sweet Girlfriends Abby, Barb and Sam
Arrived Brussels via Eurostar train, took about 3 hours and countryside was beautiful.
Teddy is the boss and he is probably 30 going on 60. But he knows what he’s doing – taking
pictures. He’s got cameras that SHOUT expensive and he knows where to go and what to shoot.
Galena is a size 10 Greek beauty and I would normally hate her automatically but she is so
fuckin nice. I think if I looked up vivacious in the dictionary Galena’s picture would be next
to the definition. Maybe it’s because her brother is sooooooo serious. I don’t know. Together
they would make one normal person. Galena just MIGHT be a young Abby – I mean that in a
good way Abby. And thank you for the Bike riding lessons cause I was on one today & did good.
Three rooms at the hotel (Louise 345) – that was a “Whew” moment.
We ate at the hotel’s restaurant. We shared a seafood tower of shrimp, lobster, crab and clams.
I had meat dumplings with a green salad. We finished off a bottle of red wine. No prices on the
menu and Teddy and Galena didn’t blink. We shot more outside the restaurant – I guess that qualifies
to write off the cost of the dinner (which was un-fuckin-believable). Teddy said it will be rainy
tomorrow and I should be prepared to get wet. I thought to myself Hey, I’m just a well paid prop, but
I said to my boss “not a problem”. And it won’t be.
Goodnight my sweeties
Jessy
PS I wish I had the nerve ( and the space ) to steal these sheets.
send Wednesday june 17 after midnight
Day 2 in Brussels Wednesday
To My Sweet Girlfriends Abby, Barb and Sam
Teddy was right, it rained a fine mist most of the today.
After a leisurely breakfast of sausage and eggs, we stayed around the
hotel and shot lots of wet cobblestone streets and wet brick sidewalks and wet scantily clad Jessica
with gabled three story homes in the background. Then it was a quick shower and change of clothes
and we took the hotel car to the train station for some wet train tracks shots (Hey, remember
I’m just a prop).
I have NEVER seen so many bikes in my life. And every one is old. Abby, the bike you gave me would
stick out here like a sore thumb. I asked Galena and she said all bikes look the same – no help there.
Pretty close to the train station is the Saint-Salvator Cathedral, we walked there and got some great
shots with gray light coming through huge stained glass windows. We hung around until sunset and
took more in the train station which I should talk about because its beautiful. Train Stations in Europe
from the few that I have seen are like American Circus Tents – HUGE and Inviting people to come in.
But you are not greeted with the scent of elephants and horseshit in a Train Station – nope, its oil and
sweat and brake fluid and old leather and a sense of urgency that I find exhilarating. In comparison,
American train stations are like roadside diners with tracks and ticket offices attached.
We ate again at the hotel restaurant, I had 2 glasses of wine and caught myself nodding off at the table.
Tomorrow is a long day of sitting – 12 hours and a train change to get to Venice, Italy. The Adventure
continues.
Goodnight my sweeties
Jessy
send Thursday after midnight
Train Day to Venice
To My Sweet Girlfriends Abby, Barb and Sam
Up by 6am for a 7am train to Luxembourg. 3 hours; then a change to the SleeperJet to Venice.
Galena and I were in a 2 person sleeper and Teddy was somewhere outside. What actually
happened is Teddy would roam the train and find photo ops and run back and say “dress and high
heels in the Club Car” or “halter top, shorts and flats in the observation car”. And I’d duly do my
duty as directed. In between times Galena and I gabbed. She told me her story I told her mine.
First off – she and Teddy are twins. They’re 26 which makes ME the adult in the room. Their father
died when they were little and they’ve been raised by their mother and her brother who together
own a greek shipping company that they are both expected to work for. Both went to Oxford Univ.
Galena is a marine biologist and Teddy is a marine engineer. Yes, I did ask the next question: well
what is he doing taking pictures? And Galena said their mother wants them to decide what THEY
want to do. When they graduated from Oxford, Galena was given the boat we will be on Sunday
and Teddy was given a fully equiped photography studio in Athens. They can do whatever they
want until they turn 30.Then they have to decide. I was speechless. I mean REALLY speechless.
FINALLY I thought of something smart to say: “I’d like to meet your mother” and Galena replied
“I think she’d like you”. You THINK? You THINK?
Lunch in the food car was unmemorable soggy salad with way overcooked chicken. I’m spoiled.
BTW The reason we took the train is Teddy wasn’t sure if there would be trouble with getting
an American on an airline during the Covid shutdown and didn’t want to take the chance. I asked about the plane in Greece
and Galena said it was a “company” plane and since it started and stopped inside Greece there would
be little formalities. I’m good with that. As long as my passport is stamped (see, I remembered, Barb).
I had thought going over the Alps would be exciting, but we didn’t go OVER we mostly went THROUGH.
There were lots of tunnels and between darkness in the tunnel and clouds and fog outside there
wasn’t a lot to see. But there were mountains out there and they were high with no trees and plenty
of snow. I’m glad we weren’t walking.
Finally we arrived in Venice at 8pm. A Water Taxi picked us up outside the train station and took us
to the Hotel Monaco. The twins got a suite and I got a single. From the reception we got, I think they’ve
been here before. Of course the hotel has a restaurant – right on the Grand Canal (note the caps Abby
I love your house but you live on the grand canal). Of course the menu had no prices. The view across
the canal was breathtaking. It was just after sunset, I was expecting at any moment Teddy to jump up
and say “there” – pointing to a spot for a shot. But he was pretty mellow. Galena talked on. She is sweet.
Doing nothing can be exhausting. Early start tomorrow – I’m off to sleep my sweeties
nite
Jessy
send Friday after midnight
Day 1 Venice
To My Sweet Girlfriends Abby, Barb and Sam
Right next to our hotel are the Royal Gardens – they were ordered to be built by Napoleon.
Teddy had us there at sunrise which in case you don’t remember is 5:25AM. Luckily it
wasn’t cold but 63 degrees when you’re laying in dew covered grass is not exactally warming.
The park is beautiful and in full bloom and then the groundskeeper spied us. Oh Boy! Where’s a movie
camera when you really need one. Evidently the signs which are all over and in 6 languages specifically
state everyone should stay on the paths and NOT lay down amongst the flowers. Here was the heroine
of this piece so laying trying not to shiver. Well… then the shouting started – no, not Teddy – Galena!
She got in this guys face like stink on shit. He was shouting in Italian, she was shouting in Italian both
were pointing at little ole me who chose to smile demurely. Arms were waving I thought the guy was
going to have a heart attack. All the while Teddy was clicking away as serious as ever. Finally, Teddy
said “ok lets go”. I got up, got back on the path and Teddy and I walked away with Galena still yelling
and STILL standing her ground. Vivaceous is not the first word that came to my mind. That girl is ball
lightning in a body. Eventually she caught up to us and we walked back to the hotel. I took a shower
and went to their suite for breakfast on their terrace overlooking the Grand Canal – They definitely
have the better room. Teddy went back to bed so it was just the two of us and plates of fruit and
yogurt and breads and jam and a breathtaking view. A girl could get used to this.
I complemented Galina on her gallantry – defending my honor from the cruel groundkeeper. She just
laughed and told me alittle more of their background. She and Teddy had been mostly home schooled
at the family homes in Athens and on the Island of Skiathos. They both know Italian, French, English
and obviously Greek. She has a brown belt in Kick Boxing, Teddy has Black. She could have killed
the groundskeeper easily. Remind me to never piss Galena off.
Teddy eventually woke up about 10 and we took a gondola ride and almost got into MORE trouble
when Teddy wanted me at one end and he and Galena and the driver at the other end – well
obviously the boat started to rise as they moved their weight to that end and the gondola guy
started to have a conniption fit. Teddy just clicked away. I remained the adult on the boat.
In the afternoon Teddy rented a MOTORboat and driver and we went into the canal alleyways
and searched for the shadows. We visited each of the four bridges that span the Grand Canal
Fortunately for Teddy it was a sunny day and shadows were everywhere – not the kind he preferred
but not wet and cold either.
We had a sunset guided tour of the Saint Marks Clocktower that was awesome. The tour guide was
very cooperative and let me stand next to the clock gears. From the top you can clearly see Venice
is 400 bridges connecting 117 small islands (I got that fact from a brochure).
We ate overlooking the Canal again. I had eggplant lasagna with a greek salad. We shared a bottle of
red wine and even Teddy was talking.
Tomorrow is a sleep-in day – hooray. I’m meeting the twins in their room for breakfast at 10am. Nice.
Love yous
Jessy
send Saturday 5:30pm
Day 2 Venice
To My Sweet Girlfriends Abby, Barb and Sam
I don’t normally do breakfast. But when I do, I’ve always thought of myself as a Bacon & Eggs
girl. Not anymore. I’m a fruit and yogurt girl. Especially if it’s served on fine linens overlooking
a lovely Canal-scape. Galena advised me not to overeat since we were going to a special
restaurant for a 3pm lunch/dinner. I must have looked confused because she explained we
leave tonight for a 7 hour train ride to Bari, Italy and then an 8 hour ferrry to Corfu, Greece.
For lunch we’re going to the Island of Burano – which she said was the only reason she had
agreed to accompany Teddy on this trip. Then she smiled and said but she’s glad she came
and met me. That was abit weird as Teddy was looking from me to Galena as if we were
in some conspiracy. I stammered it was good to meet both of you and felt relieved.
We walked to a BIG ferry to the colorful island of Burano. Color is the key word. The Island
has canals just like Venice and boats instead of cars but each house is painted a different
BRIGHT color. A red house will be next to a yellow house next to a baby blue house next
to an orange house. Some with identically painted boats out front. It’s like a poorman’s Venice.
In Venice over the last 1000 years all the wooden homes have burned down so the city
is effectively a stone city. Burano still has wooden buildings – I guess they’ve been luckier.
So here I am – a black and white model in a crayon box streetscape. It was pretty, don’t get
me wrong, but I wouldn’t want to live there. While very colorful, the place felt abit off.
I kept expecting wooden soldiers to come marching out of every home. As a photo shoot
location I thought it a bust. Then I realized it wasn’t a photo shoot – we were there for lunch!
The restaurant is called Al Gatto Nero da Ruggero. Galena told me she had made the
reservation weeks before. We weren’t seated 2 minutes when Ruggero himself came
running up and insisted on hugging Galena. And she hugged him back – so much for
social distancing. They went on and on in Italian and it took a good minute for me to
realize Ruggero was speaking with a thick scottish brogue. It was the strangest sound.
Galina introduced me and Teddy. I got my hand kissed and the cutest smile capped with
a wink – yes this guy is a Scot! He left promising to return and Galena explained she had
spent 3 months on the Island doing a study of the local fisheries for her master’s degree.
I ate here everyday she said. Before the afternoon was done – I could see why.
We shared an appertiser of razor clams and scallops over risotto. Heavenly. Galena
recommended she and I share a sea bass baked. 10 minutes later 2 waiters came to
our table carrying a live fish which they proceded to fillet right in front of us – impressive, but a little much.
Teddy said ‘Fresh”. He is truly a man of few words. I asked about the trip to Greece
and Galina said we have to take a night train to Bari to get the morning ferry to Corfu.
As it stands, the timing will be close and if we miss the ferry we’re stuck in Bari for
48 hours. Teddy added he had spoken to someone – I didn’t get the name – and there
would be a car waiting at the station and the docks were a 15 minute ride. He didn’t
seem worried. Galena did. The sea bass was melt in your mouth stuff that tasted like
no fish I had EVER had before. Closest I can come to describing it is a fishy cotton
candy without the sweetness of course. You didn’t BITE it – it just dissolved on your
tongue and slipped down your throat.
At dessert, Ruggero reappeared with what he called gelato – it looked like sherbit to me.
He had 2 tiny cups for each of us: one cup was lemon and the second strawberry. He said
enjoy and he’d be back with some expresso. I took a spoonful and my mouth so filled
with saliva that I instinctively cupped my hand to keep from drooling. Galena laughed
and said everyone has the same reaction the first time they eat Ruggero’s gelato. Even
Teddy was impressed.
Sure enough Ruggero returned with 3 cups of expresso which he made a big thing of
presenting. I pretended to sip mine – I hate expresso. Ruggero turned to Galena and said
in his weird accent “When I speak to your Mom, I tell her Galena’s room is always clean with
fresh linens and available for a visit – anytime. You can call if that suits you or just pop by”.
Pop by – what self respecting Italian talks like that.
Anyway, eventually we took our leave (yes, I can talk weird too). About 50 feet from the
restaurant, Galena pointed to a red house and said my mother bought that house from
Ruggero for my 3 months stay here and now he rents it from her and uses it as an AirBnB.
So that’s the room he was referring to, I asked. Yes Galena said and you can come back
and get lost here if you would like. THAT comment threw me – I had not mentioned getting
lost to Galena. Am I that transparent? I chose to say nothing. Instead I asked about Ruggero
and Galena said his parents were hired as caretakers for a huge Scottish Estate and he
was born and raised in Scotland – but in a 100% Italian household. He fits in this weird island
I’m back in my room finishing this cause I want to get it off before we leave Venice.
I’m not sure what the situation will be until we get to the Island of Skiathos and Galena’s
boat – which by the way is a 20 meter sailing catamaran (to us Americans that’s 65 feet).
She said it has a satellite network connection. But between now and then it seems like
a mad dash, so I’ll end here and start packing.
Congratulations on the leg cast coming off, Abby
love yous all
Jessy
send Sunday 11pm
Greece Day 1
To My Sweet Girlfriends Abby, Barb and Sam
The train to Bari was fast and dark and I slept fitfully. We were 5 minutes early.
Galena was still anxious. We grabbed our bags and ran; found a young man waving
and jumped into a giant car. 12 minutes later (about) we’re at the ferry dock.
The non-EU passport line for the ferry to Greece went into a separate room from Teddy and Galena.
Galena got very upset and got the attention of a security guard and was talking and pointing toward
me and the guard just shrugged and said something. Galena got very still, got her phone out and made
a call; I was going nowhere fast so I just watched. She spoke and gestered with her free hand at the
guard. Then she dialed another number – there should be dramatic music playing about now – I saw
her talking then she gave the phone to the guard he listened, looked at Galena then right at me, gave
her the phone and started walking toward me. Galena, behind his back gave me the thumbs up sign.
He asks for my passport and says follow me, please. Long story short, Galena exercised the right of
every Greek employer of a non-EU worker to issue a tempory work visa to said employee to enter
Greece for no more than 30 days. The Appropriate Greek officials were all on the EU side of the
building. So the three of us got to stay together and all I had to produce was my contract of work
which Barb had so conveniently dictated to Teddy weeks ago. Thanks again, Barb, sure helps
to have world savvy friends . They said welcome to Greece, stamped my passport and we boarded
the ferry with 15 minutes to spare
We had a 4 bed sleeper – don’t ask me why – and as soon as we were in and the porters gone Galena
threw her arms around me and said I thought we were going to lose you. Really, I replied, should
I have been concerned? Oh yes, certainly she said. WTF WTF I thought. And then she said but
nothing could have happened that my mother could not have fixed in 3 hours and now that we
are in Greece everything is fine. Still… maybe its worth a wtf!
I’d like to say it was a great trip to Corfu but it wasn’t. Rough seas was the way everyone described
what was happening. We sat up, layed down and walked around – the feeling of being drunk was
the same. The last two hours were calm and the sea beautiful. I couldn’t even think about eating.
When we finally arrived in Corfu, Galena said there would be some snacks on the plane and a full
feast on the boat. Another giant car and two big men were waiting. They grabbed our bags and off
we went to the airport 10 minutes away. Drove right up to …… a Fuckin Jet Plane with steps down.
Geez, I thought, what’s next?
I’ve never flown in a 10 seat plane. Take off is probably what a rocket feels like. We almost went
straight up then a sharp left turn. I was thanking God I had nothing in my stomach when Galena
came up sat next to me and hugged me. No seatbelt? I thought. Then I decided to enjoy the hug.
There was of course fruit and yogurt on the plane. I participated carefully. The flight was smooth
and 2 hours. Greece is mostly mountains and water. We landed at Skiathos airport, were met by
only one big man with a Giant car and driven not 10 minutes to a marina.
On the way to the boat Galena told me she and Teddy have run the boat by themselves many times
but since this was a business trip their mother had insisted the boat be crewed. Crewed? Yes, she
said a captain his wife who is also the cook one stewart and one engineer. Is there room for everyone
I asked? She said there are 6 bedrooms but the boat can sleep 15 in a pinch. We are only 7. Wow.
At the marina we were met by THE CREW. They did not line up and salute but I got the feeling they
were prepared to. Two ran down and got our bags one stopping to greet Teddy with a hug. That left
the Captain with the hat and his wife the only woman – got it. Everyone knew one another, I was
introduced all around and immediately forgot everyone’s name. They in turn started calling me Missy
immediately. Once on board we went up one flight of stairs to a grand salon area and I spyed him –
the God Father. He wore a black suit he sat with his back to the wall and he let you approach him.
And sure enough, first Teddy went up to him and kissed him and said something and he had something
to say; then Galena went up and I was standing there unsure whether to move up when Teddy came
to my rescue and took my arm guiding me forward toward the old man, who was watching me as I
approached when the Captain appeared from behind him with an old fashion telephone and whispered
something. The old man’s eyes never wavered from mine – he said Scuzzy or something like it, turned,
took the phone and walked off. “Well”, Teddy said, “you lucked out”.
I looked for the old man but he didn’t appear during lunch which was mostly every cold crustacean
you could think of and at least one I’ve never had – a sea urchin (don’t you just want to eat that urchin).
Galena gave me a tour of the boat. The boat is BIG. It’s even got room for another little boat and 2 jet skis.
My room is decent with it’s own shower. Galena’s room is bigger and looks well lived in. She uses
this boat as her home. Teddy has a room here but mostly lives up on that hill in the family house when
he’s not in Athens. When we got back to the lounge area the old man was there sitting talking to the
captain. I asked Teddy if we should go up and he said no.
About 6pm the old man stood up and the captain stood up, then everyone
stood up and I heard Galena say “Adio Theeos Sy” and Teddy too.
I figured Adio – Adios – it must mean goodbye (this girl is NO dummy).
So I said “Adio Teeeos Sy” and just as my squeeky voice made those
sounds EVERYONE was quiet so it was only my words left floating in the
void. Theeos Sy stopped dead in his tracks and looked at me -Did he even
remember me? Then he started to walk to me. I looked at Galena who was
across from me next to Teddy and she was wide-eyed with Panic? I
thought of jumping overboard and swimming to – where? He stood in
front of me and looked into my eyes. I hadn’t noticed his were green.
Then he picked up my hands and in turn kissed each one. He smiled and
said “Adio Jay-See-Ka”, turned and walked to Teddy and said something I
didn’t get. But Teddy nodded and said “Nai Theeos Sy”.
With the Captain, he walked off the boat and into that same big black car.
The Captain came back and asked if we would be eating dinner on board;
Teddy said no. I went to Galena and asked what the hell that was all about.
It was Teddy who answered. My Uncle said he likes you and we should treat you
like family. He’s your Uncle, I asked? “Yes, silly, Galena replied – that what Theeos
means. He is Uncle Sy to Teddy and me” I told them I had thought Theeos was a
name – like Teddy.Teddy shook his head but Galena said she hadn’t seen her Uncle
smile EVER. I asked Galena what Nai means and she said Yes. I excused myself, went
to my cabin and silently jumped up and down and fist pumped the air for a full minute.
I had accidently done the exact right thing.
A small motor boat appeared about 8pm and Teddy and Galena and I motored across
the bay to a restaurant – actually a whole row of bars and restaurants and people
dancing like there was no such thing as a pandemic. Teddy had his cameras so we bar
crawled and drank and ate smallplates of fish and fruit and a white bean compote
that was heavenly. Galena and I danced and Teddy snapped away. The shadows as
the sky darkened were spectacular.
I’m in my room finishing this and then Galena and I are sharing a big bowl of watermelon
on the top deck and watching for shooting stars. First day in Greece was a big success.
Love yous
Jessy
sent Monday 7am
Morning update
Girls —
I Kissed Galena last night. Well it wasn’t exactally a kiss. Our eyes met and we got closer
and then our mouths met and then my soul decided to pack up and move into her mouth.
I felt it go, but as long as I held onto her I would be fine. That’s about as close as I’m going
to get describing the moment. Eventually we paused and waited, watching . I think Galena
laughed first. And that’s how I got my younger sister! We talked well into the night.
I think I love her but let’s keep that amongst ourselves for now. Irregardless – when my soul
flowed back into me a piece remained behind and I might have gotten a piece of Galena in
the exchange. All in all I got the better part of that trade.
have to run
love
Jessy
Greece Day 2
To My Sweet Girlfriends Abby, Barb and Sam
This morning Teddy was huddled with the captain in the control room. Galena said they were going over
weather maps and deciding on our itinerary. I looked up from my laptop and said weather doesn’t seem
to be an issue. She explained tides and wind are the big issues with some of the places Teddy wanted
to visit. The cook asked if I wanted anything and I explained the bean dish I had last night and she nodded
and said in accented English it is called Fasolada and is a white bean soup with tomatoes, carrots and celery;
it is a peasants dish. That’s probably why I like it, I replied and she smiled and said I will make for you, Missy.
Teddy came out and said more to Galena than me “We’re going to do sunset at Lalaria Beach and overnight
there. Then check the weather again in the morning”. Let’s go now, anchor off and get settled, Galena said.
Teddy nodded and went back upstairs. Two minutes later there was a bustle of activity – lines were pulled
in, big plugs unpluged (I didn’t like the unpluged thought). And then we were moving with a low rumble
coming from below.
Lalaria Beach is on the other side of the island. It about two hours to get there and when I saw where there
was I gasped. Remember Durdle Door in Dorset with the stone formation that resembled a dragon taking
a sip of water? Well here was a second dragon taking a sip of water. I’ll put a pic of this one up – you’ll have
to google durdle door to see the other. I mentioned this to Galena and she wasn’t as much impressed. She
said there were probably 2 or 3 more similar formations within a 8 hour sail. She said where ever there
is salt water and limestone there will be all kinds of “erosion art” she called it. ” What you should be
marvelling at is the statistical probability of your picking two photographers in two different countries
who not only had access to such a thing BUT thought of putting you in the shot”. THAT sounds like it
would make my head ache. So I’ll say coincidence and move on.
There was another bustle of activity as one anchor was dropped – the boat moved back; then another
anchor was dropped and the boat moved forward. Finally Teddy and the Captain came out , looked at
the anchor lines and nodded approval. Manly stuff fer sure. Anna, the cook came out with Lorry the
stewart (that’s a guy name) and started fishing. Galena said the water is too rough here but she would
talk to Teddy about going to a snorkeling spot tomorrow. Galena was wearing a bikini bottom and shoes.
From underneath my floppy hat I admired her tanned breasts. She came up and kissed my cheek.
“To my sweet girlfriends ” she read from my laptop looking over my shoulder. I closed it and said yes
I send an update everyday.
Teddy came over to say we would be going ashore about 6pm and I could relax till then. He told
Galena he was going to help Ray in the Engine room and left. Galena told me Teddy is happiest when
he is getting dirty in the engine room. I asked the obvious question – well why is he taking pictures?
She said neither of them had really found there passion yet. Then she looked at me with big brown
eyes and said “I think I’d like to be you, Jessica”. Well …. You could have knocked me
over with a stick. I said I’d trade places right then and there. She said it was my attitude
she admired and envied. Attitude? Usually a bad attitude, I said. No she said: “you do
what YOU want to do – I only do what is expected of me. Teddy is the same way”.
I thought on that for awhile and finally asked if she wanted to take a nap with me? She
said yes and I said “see, you’re starting to do what YOU want already”. We took a nap and
spooned. First time I’ve caressed another girls breasts. Or drifted off to a perfume scented
neck. Whatever is happening to me – I like it.
The photo session was a bust. Between and wind and the currents we couldn’t get close to the
arch. Teddy tried at one point to take the dingy up close and was almost dashed against the rocks.
Even the captain blew the boat’s horn to warn him away. Teddy finally settled for the arch in
the background shots. The beach is very smooth rocks that Galena says are illegal to take off
the island. There are boxes at the airports to collect them because if the custom agents catch you
with any they fine you bigtime. Oh and one other thing – the beach seems to be a major toilet
stop for sea birds of all descriptions. Except for at the water’s edge there isn’t a square inch
that isn’t covered with poop -not really my cup of tea.
Teddy finally had enough and we motored back to the boat. No moon tonight so it is dark. We
are the only boat staying the night. After a shower we met in the lounge where Anna had put
put out two fish dinners for us. Evidently the fishing had been successful. She had a sea bass
cerviche with mango, cucumber, tomato and lime. And parmesan crusted baked Sea Bream.
Plus, Anna showed me a dish and said smiling “Fasolada for Missy”. Dinner on an absolutely
quiet boat in an absolutely dark harbor was wonderful. I never knew fresh fish was SO MUCH
better tasting than what you buy in the store.
After dinner, Teddy said tomorrow we were going to the next island called Skopelos and see if
we could snorkel into the Dasia Blue Cave. Galena added Skopelos is the island they filmed the movie
Momma Mia on. I freely admitted I had not seen the movie – Galena laughed. For 5 seconds that was
the only sound for miles. Teddy excused himself and left whether for the engine room or his cabin
I don’t know. Anna and Lorry cleaned the table and said goodnight. The captain appeared; he and
Galena had a short conversation then he bowed and left. Before I could feel uncomfortable, I stood
and said I wanted to finish writing to my friends. Your special girlfriends? Galena asked. Yes, I replied.
“When you are finished meet me up top and we’ll watch for shooting stars again”. I agreed. And so
here I am – about to send this on and “go up top”. I suppose I could just lock my door. But she no
doubt has the key and this tingling I’m feeling is NOT fear – it’s anticipation.
TO BE CONTIUNED……
Jessy
kongoboken 